WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Information and updates on the latest and popular Portable Keyboards

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The new Nord Grand features a 88-note premium weighted keybed with advanced triple sensors that capture the movements of the hammers with exceptional precision, delivering the smooth and natural feel of an acoustic grand piano. To further improve on the authentic feel, each key is treated with an Ivory Touch surface.

As with the sound engine, it is split into two sections: Piano and Sample Synth. The Piano section includes a selection of Grand, Upright, Electric and Digital pianos from the Nord Piano Library, all of which can be replaced via the Nord Sound Manager. The Sample Synth section includes a variety of Strings, Brass, Synths, Choirs and many other sounds from the Nord Sample Library 3.0, which includes licensed Mellotron and Chamberlin sounds. The synth section is equipped with controls for attack, decay/release and dynamics (filter/velocity) and dedicated Category buttons enable quick navigation and selection of sample sounds. In addition, you can also create your sounds with the free Nord Sample Editor for Windows and Mac.

The Nord Grand Effect section gives you a broad range of instantly adjustable, studio-grade stereo ef-fects modeled on coveted vintage Stompboxes, plus Tremolo, Phaser, Chorus, Pan, Wah, RM, Flanger, Vibe, EQ, Delay, and Reverb. All effects can be freely assigned to the Piano or Sample Synth section. The Reverb effect has three different types: Hall, Stage, and Room, each with an optional Bright mode.

Decked in the familiar red wooden chassis, the Nord Grand looks to be available with a metal foldaway stand option for stage use, and a more permanent wooden stand for the home. In addition, it also comes with the Nord Triple Pedal.

The Nord Grand 88-note Kawai Hammer Action with Ivory Touch will be available in Spring 2019, with pricing to be announced. Check back often for updates.

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Nektar’s new SE MIDI keyboards come in SE25 and SE49. The SE USB MIDI Controller keyboards look to have several things going for them including portability, affordability and DAW control.

The Nektar SE25 is a 25-note, velocity-sensitive, mini-keyed model that sits nicely in front and almost the same width of a 13-inch laptop. Six buttons enable you control over the likes of sustain, pitch bend or modulation wheels. If you use the Nektar DAW Integration software, you also get transport control when you are using Logic Pro, Reason, Cubase, Bitwig Studio or Studio One.

Besides, there is also a Part Two function that enables you to change to a second MIDI channel, layer a sound on top or shift octave and transpose at the touch of a button.

The Nektar SE49 comes with 49 full-size velocity-sensitive keys and proper pitch bend and modulation wheels. There are four buttons and one 30mm fader for accessing system settings and Nektar DAW control, leaving you with a workhorse MIDI keyboard that has some useful extra strings on its bow.

The SE Midi controllers price is stunning and lowest too.

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Korg Minilogue XD Analog Synthesizer
The Korg Minilogue XD is the updated take on the Korg Minilogue, which was introduced in 2016. The Minilogue XD retains the same chassis, albeit in a black livery, with 3/4-sized keys and a similar overall layout. The Minilogue XD also retains the four-parameter Motion Sequencer of its predecessor, but the synth engine has been enhanced and the four parameter lanes are now displayed on a new, slightly larger OLED display.

The voice structure of Minilogue XD is 2VCO + MULTI ENGINE, 1VCF, 2EG, 1VCA, and 1LFO. The additional sound engine is equipped with three different types of sound generator; noise, VPM, and user slot that enable you to take advantage of a sonic character that is different than analog, and use it at the same time as the analog engine. The Minilogue XD also offers a high-quality digital effect engine and shared the open development API (Application Programming Interface) of the Prologue. Users are allow to extend the possibilities of the hardware via an SDK (Software Development Kit) and dedicated development tools. The modulation effects, reverb, and delay (3 types) can be used simultaneously, enabling you choose from a wide range of options, including chorus, ensemble, warm tape delay, and a diverse variety of reverb. The Minilogue XD has 16 user effect slots that you can customize.

Looking around the back of the unit. stereo outputs have been added, alongside a damper pedal connection, which was one of the most asked for features from users. And to top it off, we are also treated to an additional two CV inputs. The Minilogue XD has excellent analog and digital sounds, especially for pads. User programmable oscillator has tons of potential and lots of physical controls, And at a low price.

Akai Professional Midi Controller Road 88

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The new full size controller keyboard from Akai’s Professional was unexpected. The Akai Pro MPK Road 88 is designed for touring and gigging.

With 88 hammer-action keys, velocity sensitive and aftertouch response and a built-in four-output USB interface so with this plugged into your laptop you do not need any other gear. The MPK Road also comes with a bundle of useful software including Akai Pro VIP, AIR Music Tech DB-33, AIR Music Tech Velvet plus AIR Music Tech Mini Grand for Road 88.

Other connectivity options include dual expression and sustain pedal inputs. Pitch and modulation wheels sit alongside a volume control, and you also get transpose functionality and split modes.

As we know most MIDI controllers of this size have features including knobs and pads, sliders and buttons whereas this has less features. The Akai MPK Road is not complicated and it is not trying to control your DAW and you can handle any situation with ease. It is just there to let you get the best playing performance out of your virtual instruments or MIDI gear. An integrated travel case with handle means that your MPK Road will stay protected and be easy to carry.

Akai MPK Road 88 will be available soon priced at $899

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Though Sequential is saying goodbye to the Prophet 12 synth, but it is not going quietly. Sequential has announced that its Prophet 12 synth is about to be discontinued, but the company is seeing it off with a limited edition.

When we say limited, we really do mean it: only 100 Prophet 12 LEs will be made. After these have rolled off the production line, this hybrid analogue will be no more, unless you are lucky enough that is, to own one.

Paying tribute to the Prophet 12, Sequential boss Dave Smith in his speech said: “It’s nice to give the Prophet 12 a proper send-off with this special edition. The P12 was a real milestone for us in terms of pushing the synth envelope. As a hybrid instrument, it gave us a chance to explore the interaction of digital oscillators and analog filters and see how far we could take that idea. It’s still a great instrument and has found its way onto a lot of stages and studios, and into a lot of music.”

The Prophet 12 Limited Edition features 61 key semi-weighted keyboard with velocity and channel aftertouch, is the same as the standard model. As well as the white colour scheme, it also has maple end caps.

With the discontinuation of the Prophet 12, most people are bound to speculate on what, if anything, might take its place in the Sequential product line. And with NAMM 2019 just around the corner, we might not have long to wait before we find out.

The Prophet 12 LE is available in December 2018, and you can also purchase it at zZounds